AC Repair in Rapid City, SD: How to Handle 3 Typical Troubles

There can be a few reasons why your AC unit won’t run: a triggered circuit breaker, inaccurate thermostat settings, a switched off switch or a full condensate drain pan.

Your system won’t work when you have a tripped breaker.

To see if one has tripped, find your home’s main electrical panel. You can spot this metallic device on the wall in the basement, garage or closet.

• Ensure your hands and feet are free of moisture before you touch the panel or breakers.
• Find the breaker labeled “AC” and confirm it’s in the “on” spot. If it’s tripped the switch will be in the in between or “off” position.
• Quickly move the lever back to the “on” location. If it immediately triggers again, leave it alone and get in touch with us at 605-206-3766. A breaker that keeps turning off could signal your home has an electrical issue.

If your thermostat isn’t signaling your equipment to work, it won’t turn on.

The first part is checking it’s on “cool” and not “heat.” Otherwise your AC might not start running. Or you could get. heated air blowing from vents being the furnace is going instead.

If you’re using a digital thermostat:

• Swap out the batteries if the readout is clear. If the readout is displaying jumbled letters, replace the thermostat.
• Check the right setting is showing. If you can’t change it, reverse it by dropping the temperature and hitting the “hold” button. This will cause your AC to run if the configuration is not right.
• Attempt to set the thermostat 5 degrees colder than the room’s temperature. Your AC won’t cool if the thermostat is set the same as the space’s temperature.

Once your thermostat is adjusted correctly, you should receive cool air promptly.

If you’re using a smart thermostat, like one manufactured by Nest, Ecobee, Lux, Honeywell or Bosch, check the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting. If you’re still having problems, call us at 605-206-3766 for help.

Your cooling equipment usually has a shut-down lever near its condenser. This lever is commonly in a metal box attached to your house. If your unit has recently been serviced, the lever may have accidentally been put in the “off” location.

Condensate drain pans catch the extra liquid your air conditioner pulls from the air. This pan is located either below or inside your furnace or air handler.

When there’s a clog or clogged drain, water can become concentrated and initiate a safety setting to turn off your equipment.

If your pan has a PVC pipe or drain, you can drain the surplus condensation with a formulated pan-cleaning tablet. You can buy these capsules at a home improvement or hardware shop.

If your pan has a pump, look for the float switch. If the mechanism is “up” and there’s moisture in the pan, you might have to replace the pump. Reach us at 605-206-3766 for support.

If your air conditioner is running but not providing cold air, its airflow could be obstructed. Or it might not have sufficient refrigerant.

Your unit’s airflow can be restricted by a plugged air filter or dusty condenser.

A dirty filter can create many problems, such as:

• Reduced airflow
• Icy refrigerant lines or evaporator coil
• Intermittent cooling
• Increased cooling bills
• Leading your system to wear out faster

We suggest replacing flat filters every four weeks, and creased filters every three months.

If you can’t recall when you last changed yours, shut off your unit totally and remove the filter. You can spot the filter in your furnace or air pump’s blower compartment. It might also be found in an adjoining filter holder or wall-mounted return air grille.

Angle the filter up to your light fixture. If you see a lot of dust you should get a new one.

Weeds, grass and bushes can get in the way of your condensing system. This can reduce its airflow, impact its energy efficiency and change your comfort. Here’s how you can get your equipment running smoothly again.

1. Shut off power completely at the breaker or outdoor lever.
2. Clear greenery waste around the AC. Once you’ve removed bigger refuse within a two-foot range, you can use a fine-bristled brush or vacuum to carefully remove dirt from the unit’s fins. Deformed fins can also impact performance, so you can attempt to correct them with a dinner knife.
3. Use a hose nozzle to carefully remove gunk off the fins from inside the equipment. Be careful to avoid getting moisture on the fan motor.
4. Replace the top and restore the power.

When cooling equipment doesn’t have sufficient refrigerant, they’ll have difficulty removing heat and humidity from your home.

Here are a few signs that your unit is losing refrigerant:

1. It takes a long time to refresh your rooms and you’re constantly lowering the thermostat.
2. Cooling coming through the ducts isn’t as chilly as it should be.
3. You’re noticing whistling or gurgling noises when cooling is on.
4. Your evaporator coil is frosty on account of having trouble absorbing humidity.

Suspect your equipment is leaking refrigerant? You need a certified heating and cooling service professional to repair the leak and refill the right measurement of refrigerant in your equipment. Get in touch with us at 605-206-3766 for support.

When it seems like you’re not having ample amounts of cool air, there’s likely a blockage or disconnection somewhere in your air conditioning unit.

• The beginning place is examining your air filter. Get a new one if it’s soiled.
• Then check the vents are open throughout your rooms.
• If you’re still not receiving enough chilly air, you should have your duct system examined by a expert like Precision Mechanical. Your ducts may need to be serviced or rejoined in hard-to-reach areas like your attic, basement or crawl space.